The woman sitting opposite Zhongli exuded an air of nobility and grace.
Even the Fatui Harbinger, who was somewhat similar to her, paled in comparison to this woman.
She was far, far superior.
Compared to the Harbinger, this woman's temperament was more than just a little nobler.
Because this woman was none other than the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya, the protector of Snezhnaya, the Tsaritsa!
If it were an ordinary person in her presence, they would likely have been rendered immobile by her powerful and icy aura.
But Zhongli seemed completely unaffected, even leisurely sipping his tea... After a few more sips, Zhongli smiled and said:
"What matter could bring you, the Tsaritsa, to Liyue for a leisurely visit?"
These words made the Tsaritsa frown.
However, her tone was still very polite:
"Rex Lapis, you should be very clear about the reason for my visit to Liyue today."
The reason for the Tsaritsa's visit to Liyue was none other than this:
It was due to the Fatui's failed mission in Liyue some time ago, and their forced withdrawal from Liyue.
This, in particular, greatly displeased the Tsaritsa.
So today, she came.
She wanted to understand the reason behind all of this.
Of course, no matter how dissatisfied she was, the Tsaritsa remained very polite when facing Liyue's God of War.
"Rex Lapis, you should know our purpose, yet why did you hand over the Geo Gnosis to that person of unknown origin?"
"What kind of contract did you make with him to hand over the Gnosis to him?"
"Does that Yellow Fox truly possess such leverage, making him worthy of exchanging for your Gnosis?"
However, in response to the Tsaritsa's questions, Zhongli unhurriedly poured himself another cup of tea.
He picked up the teacup, gently blew on it, took a sip, and then answered with a smile:
"Based on universal rationality, no, he doesn't."
"Then why..."
The Tsaritsa's words were cut short by Zhongli:
"Regarding this answer, I think instead of me answering, it would be better for you to meet him in person and witness it yourself."
These words caused the Tsaritsa to fall into a rare silence.
She rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought.
Suddenly, she seemed to sense something, looking at Zhongli with a surprised gaze and tentatively saying:
"I've felt a bit strange since just now, Rex Lapis, your aura seems to have weakened..."
Zhongli smiled and shook his head, continuing to enjoy the high-grade tea only available in the VIP reception room, without answering.
Seeing this, the Tsaritsa fell into thought again. After a while, her expression subtly changed:
"Could it be that you, Rex Lapis, also gave a portion of your clearance... to that fellow?"
At this point, the Tsaritsa's face was filled with incomprehension.
After all, she completely couldn't understand Zhongli's reason for doing so.
If Zhongli had merely given the Gnosis to Yellow Fox.
The Tsaritsa could have simply thought Zhongli had suddenly gone mad.
But now, upon learning that Zhongli not only gave the Gnosis to Yellow Fox but even sent over a portion of his clearance.
The Tsaritsa was completely unable to comprehend.
"Rex Lapis, if Liyue were to encounter another great disaster in the future, how would you cope? Do you still have the confidence to protect Liyue?"
Zhongli set down his teacup and chuckled softly:
"Today's Liyue has grown to the point where it no longer needs my protection. When difficulties arise, Liyue will resolve them in its own way."
"Moreover, according to the contract, if Liyue truly encounters an insurmountable disaster in the future, he... will come to save Liyue."
The Tsaritsa's expression was very strange, filled with incomprehension: "What if he violates the contract?"
Zhongli chuckled again:
"The contract between us is complete. One who breaks their word shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock. Besides, he is not the kind of person who would violate a contract."
The Tsaritsa pondered for a long time, then shook her head: "Rex Lapis, I still cannot understand."
Zhongli slowly poured himself another cup of tea and answered with a smile:
"These answers, it's better for you to meet him in person and witness them yourself."
...Narukami Island, Inazuma City.
Inazuma City is now gradually regaining its vitality, slowly returning to its former self.
The reason for this is that the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree, these harsh and unreasonable regulations, have finally been abolished.
In addition, the corruption of the Tenryou Commission during the Vision Hunt Decree period was completely exposed.
The Kujou Clan, which controlled the Tenryou Commission, received very severe punishment directly.
The Kujou Clan not only lost its function of continuing to manage the Tenryou Commission, but many personnel also received corresponding punishments, being imprisoned to enjoy lifelong 'free meals'.
The Kujou Clan gradually declined.
It was well-deserved punishment.
As for which family the Tenryou Commission will be managed by in the future, Raiden Ei still needs some time to consider and weigh her options.
Anyway, ever since Raiden Ei decided to shoulder the wishes of the people.
Inazuma is heading towards a new chapter... Inazuma City, Tenshukaku.
At the entrance, Yae Miko swaggered into the Tenshukaku, not even knocking on the door when she entered.
She was truly the worst of the worst.
However, Raiden Ei wouldn't care because of this.
After Yae Miko walked into the Tenshukaku, the Raiden Shogun, who had been sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, suddenly opened her eyes.
At this moment, she had even switched to Raiden Ei herself.
Seeing this, Yae Miko showed a mischievous smile: "Oh my, oh my~ I finally get to see you, Ei."
Raiden Ei glanced at Yae Miko indifferently and asked: "Is there something wrong, Miko?"
Yae Miko chuckled: "Nothing much, I just wanted to see if you, Ei, were badly beaten by Yellow Fox..."
Halfway through her sentence, Yae Miko noticed Raiden Ei glaring at her with a 'kind' look, so she calmly changed her words:
"I just came to see if my old friend had changed at all."
Raiden Ei shook her head: "I am still myself, I won't change that easily."
After speaking, a look of reminiscence appeared on her face again:
"However, I'm starting to think now that understanding the people of Inazuma, and understanding their wishes, isn't so bad either."
"I... want to understand the current Inazuma."
At this moment, Yae Miko chuckled again:
"Hehehe, do you need me to be your guide? Ei, you haven't been out in a long time, have you? Perhaps the changes in Inazuma now will surprise you greatly~"
Raiden Ei glanced at Yae Miko indifferently, shook her head in disdain, and then said:
"Oh right, Miko, I heard you've also been getting quite close to someone recently."
"It's hard to imagine, with your personality, that you would get so close to an ordinary person."
"He seems to be a writer under your Yae Publishing House? I'm quite interested in him."
"It's also time for me to witness the changes in Inazuma now and understand its people."
Hearing these words, the smile on Yae Miko's face instantly froze.
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